VIDEO: MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

MEN'S BASKETBALL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VIDEO: MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

LANGLEY, British Columbia - The Trinity Western men's basketball team tips thing off in the Canada West regular season this Friday as they are on the road taking on the Lethbridge Pronghorns. The Spartans return to Langley next week for their season opening weekend against UBC. SpartansTV previews this year's men's basketball season.

After coming to within a game of qualifying for the CIS final eight in 2009 the Trinity Western University men’s basketball team found themselves on the outside looking in for the 2010 post season.

The disappointing end to the 2009-10 season had TWU head coach Scott Allen back on the recruiting trail in hopes of bolstering his line-up in order to make it back to the post season and make another run towards the CIS championship.

The time is now for a number of Spartans. TWU features a veteran squad with five fifth years and four fourth years who are looking to redeem themselves after last season. The returning Spartans include returning starters 6’6” fifth year forward Jacob Doerksen, 6’6” fifth year forward Tyrell Mara, 6’8” fifth year forward Lance Verhoeff, 6’5” fourth year guard Calvin Westbrook and 5’11” fifth year guard Daniel Horner

Joining the experienced squad are transfers: 5’11 third year guard Tristan Smith from the University of the Fraser Valley and 6’8” fourth year guard Kyle Coston from Portland State University and making there Spartan debut this season are: 6’6” forward Jesse Jeffers from Argyle in North Vancouver, B.C., 6’6” forward Tyler Linttell from Kelowna Christian in Kelowna, B.C., 6’5” guard Eli Mara from White Rock Christian in Surrey, B.C. and 6’11” forward Lucas Nugteren from REDA/Huron Park in Woodstock, Ont.

Optimism is high as the Spartans finish the pre-season 1-1 which included an impressive performance against NCAA Div I Minnesota where the Spartans found themselves trailing by only two points with less than five minutes remaining. TWU would go on to lose the game, 80-68, but the performance sent expectations for this year’s squad through the roof for the Spartan Faithful Fans.

But as was the case last year, when the season started with high hopes but ended with bitter disappointment, talent is one thing, but in Canada West the best team usually wins.